Animal-trap.



PATENTED JUNE 9, 1903,

' A. D. GASTON.

ANIMAL TRAP. APPLIGATION FILED OCT. 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES,

Patented June 9, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,528, dated June 9, 1903.

Application filedflctoher 22,1902. Serial No. 128,361. (No model.)

To all? whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALANSON D. GASTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal-Traps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention'relates to an improvement in animal-traps, and more particularly to that type of animal-trap wherein a spring-actuated bail or jaw is employed. Heretofore traps of this character have depended largely on the trigger mechanism, so fashioned and positioned that but a small surface area is presented, and on which the bait is usually placed.

Myinvention is designed, primarily, to provide a surface area for the tripping mechanism oflarge extent, and the invention is embodied in the construction and arrangement of parts presently to be described, and defined in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trap. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the trigger mechanism.

A designates the base, having a superimposed .block or extension B. The forward end of the base is extended transversely, as shown. Below the block B is a cavity 0, in which the trigger D is positioned, the upper end of the trigger passing through an aperture d and has its upper end bent in a conventional manner. The trigger is pivoted on a suitable pin d, and its horizontal portion is extended outward beyond the edge of the block B.

E designates the bail or jaw, having its outer edge extended transversely and shaped to correspond substantially with the shape of the extended'base-plate I. This outer portion is also crossed by suitable cross-bars 0, while its attaching-arms are pivoted to the block B by suitable staples F, a spring G being employed to normally force the bail onto the extended part of the base.

Mounted on suitable uprights H, located on opposite sides of the extended part of the base, is a pivot-board or trip-pan I, the same being tapered or of less thickness at one edge than at the other, forming thereby a substan-- tially, wedge-shaped structure in cross-section. This, however, is not essential, in that a difierent construction can be employed, the object of the construction being to overweight the outer edge, so that the tilting pan will normally be held with its upper face horizontal. The inner edge of this tilting pan or board I projects over the outer end of the trigger D and is normally held in an elevated position to present a flat surface by the trigger.

J designates the latch, pivoted to a suitable staple at the forward end of the block B, and is designed to project over the inner cross-bar of the ball. This latch is fashioned at its end to take under the angle end of the trigger and retain the outer end of the trigger, together with the tilting board or trippingpen, in its horizontal position.

When the trap is sprung, the bail is forced on the board or pan I, and in that position the forward edge of the board will be depressed below the pivot-point thereof. It is convenient to form the striking portion of the bail somewhat offset or at an angle, as shown in Fig. 2. This is acquired by bending the side bars, as at 0 By this angular arrangement of the striking portion of the bail the same will engage positively and forcibly the entire surface of the board I.

' By the above description of the construction a trap is formed which may be used with or without bait. When a bait is to be used, it is only necessary to place it on the inner edge of the tilting pan. The animal stepping on the board beyond the pivot thereof will at once tilt the board, forcing down the end of the trigger, releasing the latch, permitting the spring to quickly force the bail over onto the animal springing the trap.

It is to be understood that minor changes can be made without in the least departing from the nature and spirit of I the invention.

Having thus described the invention,"what is claimed as new, andvdesir'ed to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. An animal-trap comprisinga base memher and a spring-actuated bail member, a trigger, and a latch,land a trip-board pivotally secured to the base member and overhanging the end of the trigger member, substantially as described.

2. An animal-trap comprising a base having an extended portion, a tilting board mounted on the extended portion, a springactuated bail having an extended striking I side of the trip member, a bail member, and portion, a trigger member having one end pro- I a latch for engagement with the bail member and the trigger member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALANSON D. GASTON.

, 5 jeoting under the pivoted board, and a latch memberfor engagement with the trigger member, substantially as described.

3. An animal-trap comprisingabase member, a pivoted trip member, a trigger having Witnesses: one end positioned below the trip member L. S. BACON, and adapted to be elevated against the under THOS. H. CALLAN. 

